Resolution - 2008.01 Submitted by: B.C. & Yukon Provincial Council Whereas, The non-governmental organization The Future Group, in its report Faster, Higher, Stronger: Preventing Human Trafficking at the 2010 Olympics, has compiled research that shows a correlation between international sporting events and an increase in human trafficking by as much as 95 per cent; and Whereas, Canada is hosting the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia; and Whereas, Canada ratified the United Nations trafficking protocol, in May 2002; therefore, be it Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 88th annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government to take concrete action to prevent human trafficking at the 2010 Olympics by implementing the recommendations in The Future Group report Faster, Higher, Stronger: Preventing Human Trafficking at the 2010 Olympics.
Because Canada is preparing to host the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia, the global problem of human trafficking, especially at international sporting events, has been brought to the forefront. Canada signed and in May 2002 ratified the United Nations trafficking protocol. The report by the non-governmental organization The Future Group, Faster, Higher, Stronger: Preventing Human Trafficking at the 2010 Olympics, indicates a correlation between international sporting events and increased human trafficking. Two examples cited in the report are those of the 2004 Olympics in Greece (p. 14) and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany (p. 9). During the Olympics, the Greek government found that human trafficking increased by 95 per cent whereas at the soccer cup, preventive measures were used to minimize human trafficking (p. 14). As well, it states that the countries that have been most effective in combating human trafficking have: • adopted a clear legal framework to protect victims and prosecute offenders The Future Group recommendations to reduce human trafficking include: • deterring traffickers through public awareness campaigns These recommendations, which are in accord with the United Nations trafficking protocol ratified by Canada in 2002, can, with full funding, be implemented. With the 2010 Olympics less than two years away, it is incumbent on all levels of government to prevent human trafficking.
REFERENCES Government of British Columbia. Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Human Trafficking in B.C. http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octip. The Future Group (Institute and International Task Force). Faster, Higher, Stronger: Preventing Human Trafficking at the 2010 Olympics. http://www.thefuturegroup.org. United Nations. Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. 2000. http://www.uncjin.org/Documents/Conventions/dcatoc/ final_documents_2/convention_ traff_eng.pdf.
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